James Duddridge is the Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East. He was first elected in May 2005, and was appointed to David Cameron’s frontbench team in January 2008 as an Opposition Whip. James’ special interests in Parliament include Africa, pensions, taxation and the environment. As well as having been a member of the International Development Select Committee between July 2006 and March 2008, James was the Vice Chairman of the All Party Africa Group and an active member of a number of other groups concerned with developing countries including the All Party Group on Zimbabwe and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. James was also Vice Chairman of the Associate Parliamentary Group on Flood Prevention, and was a member of the Select Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 2005-2006.
After completing a degree in Government and Politics at Essex University, James went on to pursue a successful business career in the private sector. He was a banker with Barclays in the City of London and Africa for 10 years, rising to National Sales Director in the Ivory Coast and eventually running the bank’s operations in Botswana with a staff of 750. He was also a founder member of the highly successful national polling firm YouGov. He remains interested in financial matters and the effect of legislation on business.
Prior to entering the House of Commons in 2005 with a majority of 5,494, James fought the Labour stronghold of Rother Valley in the General Election in 2001, achieving a 5% swing in his favour. One of the youngest Conservative MPs, James (37) is married to Katy and together they have two young sons, Tom and Henry. They live in Southend along with their two cats, Boris and Barney. James is a keen supporter of Southend United Football Club and in his spare time enjoys running, cycling and spending time with his family.
After being re-elected in May 2010 James was appointed a Lord Commissioner and Government Whip with responsibility for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department of Education. In October 2011 James moved departments and is currently the Home Office Whip.